From I-85, take the Gastonia, exit 17. Turn Left on US 321 toward Hickory. In Lenoir, turn right on Wilkesboro Road, County Road 18. Turn right on Grandin Road. Turn left on Elk Creek-Darby (Citgo Station on the corner). Bear right on Leatherwood Lane. Turn right on Meadow road.

or a bit longer way.

From I-85, take the Gastonia, exit 17. Turn Left on US 321 toward Hickory. In Lenoir, turn right on NC 268. Turn left on Elk Creek-Darby (Citgo Station on the corner). Bear right on Leatherwood Lane. Turn right on Meadow road.

DO NOT FOLLOW YOUR GPS!!!!!!!

Campsite rates $25.00 per night. Note: If you have Passport America, you can reserve Thursday and Sunday night for $17.50.

Make your reservations with Leatherwood by 15 September, 1-366-973-5044. They only have 21 sites with 30 amp service and water. If you are interested in taking a horseback trail ride let them know when you make your reservation.

Leatherwood is hosting its first Octoberfest, 14 October, with crafts, hayrides, food and music for campers and community to enjoy.

To get in the Octoberfest mood, break out your best German recipes for happy hour, side dishes, and deserts for the potluck meals.

Please call and make your own reservation.
This is a TRUE NO-HOST RALLY
No Food will be provided, however coffee will be available in the mornings.
Dinner will be booked at local restaurants on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
Please bring happy hour snacks as follows:
Thursday: A-G
Friday: H-O
Saturday: P-Z

Register directly with the Campground. (800) 350-6731 Be advised you MUST register with Lazy Days before December 15, 2015 to be parked with our group of GMCs.
Mention the GMC Dixielanders Rally. Questions? Contact John Richardson @ 850-897-9726 or 850-830-6100.
This is the “ annual" Treat Your Co-Pilot Rally. She doesn't have to provide anything and can simply enjoy the rally. (Don't forget to also take her to Plant City for strawberries.)
All meals are provided - five(5) from campground-three breakfasts, two lunches and three(3)Catered dinners each evening(Mon.,Tues.,Weds) at 5:30 - 7:00 pm. An area will be available for the rest of the evening for cards and socializing. . Our Business Meeting will be held on Wednesday. at 10:00 A.M.
The total package costs for entire event, 3 nights camping, all meals, tax and tips included is:
$237.39 per couple, $187.39 Single.
Please contact Lazy Days directly if you want to arrive early or stay late.(800) 350-6731

No Host:
Questions? Contact John Richardson at 850-897-9726 or 850-830-6100

This is the "Treat Your Co-Pilot" Rally. She doesn't have to provide anything and can simply enjoy the rally. (Don't forget to also take her to Plant City for strawberries.)

All meals are provided - four(4) from campground and Four (4) Catered meals, Three(3) dinners and a full breakfast on January 21st, Wednesday, prior to our business meeting. (Those not staying at the campground who plan on attending the meeting may enjoy the breakfast with us for only $7.25 tax/tip included.) Dinner each evening at 5:30 - 7:00 pm . An area will be available for the rest of the evening for cards and socializing.

The total package costs for entire event, 3 nights camping, all meals, tax and tips included is $ 251.89 per couple, $196.02 Single.

We will be right there for the 2014 version of the Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival. Prices and schedules as well as other information can be found at the website. Since Friday is our “night out” this might be a fun way to sample some of the local fare. It should be fun.

Because of the popularity of the Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival and because we only have 25 sites promised to us, it is suggested that you make your reservations ASAP! (800) 562-8741

To get to the Seafood Festival (about 4 miles) we will drive to designated parking areas and ride a shuttle to the Festival.

Old Town Shuttle comes to the campground at 9:00 AM every morning to take you to downtown Savannah. The shuttle makes its return trip at 5:00. Cost is $28.97 per person and includes a tour of the historic section of Savannah.

Make your rally fees check payable to John Nicholls ($25.00 per adult, children are $10.00 each) and mail it to him at 2481 Tate Road, Cantonment, FL 32533 to arrive not later than 4 July.

Program:
Each coach is asked to bring a dessert which we will split up over the three evening meals.
Breakfast will be furnished each day @ 7:30 am and will consist of doughnuts, fruit, coffee and who knows what. Lunch each day will be on your own.

Thursday: Meet and Greet @ 5:00 pm (light hors d’oeuvres furnished by club) followed by a potluck supper with meat furnished by the club. Each coach is asked to bring a suitable side dish.

Saturday: Executive Committee Meeting @ 9:00 am
Business meeting @ 10:00 am
The afternoon is free to visit local attractions. Please see separate sheet for details.
Evening meal will be on your own followed by an ice cream social (and the rest of the
desserts) at 7:30 pm. Two local restaurants have good reviews. They are The Fork
Diner at 474 Redbud Road and El Pueblito at 206 Park Ave.

Sunday: Breakfast and safe travels

Clyde and Faye Simmons who live in Calhoun have advised me that he has a fairly well equipped shop if anyone needs to do emergency stuff. They have also advised of two local sites that are fun visits. The first is New Echota and the second is Chief Van’s home (more details to come). Calhoun is within 100 miles for 8 members, 200 miles for 18 members and 300 miles for 24 members. Ya’ll come.

Hope to see ya’ll there. Tthey do have cabins so just have your friends send the rally fee. We look forward to meeting and converting them to GMC owners. The KOA cabins with baths normally rent for $125/night but the rally price is $100 but be sure and identify they are with the rally.

See you all at Noccalulu Falls in Gadsden, AL October 17 – 20th. Hosts are the Walters and the Holloways.

The package price for two people and one site includes: three nights camping, a welcome fete with
heavy hors d’oeuvres and two catered evening meals. This is a no host rally. You must make your
own reservations with Lazydays (1-800-905-6627). Early or late camping days are at $42.99 per
night and additional people are $42.06. Cutoff date for registration is 14 December 12. All prices are
plus tax. Cancellation between 14 December 12 and 6 January 13 will cost you a one night site fee.
After 6 January, you will forfeit the entire registration fee of $220.00. Please notify John Nicholls at
johnrita1@cox.net when you reserve so we can keep up with the number of attendees. A business
meeting will be held on Tuesday the 15th at 10:00 AM. Anyone not staying at the park but close
enough to travel is encourage to attend the meeting.

The highlight of this rally is the 20th anniversary performance of Swamp Gravy, the Official Folk-
Life Play of Georgia. Its business is storytelling! True local stories are spiced up with songs written by local
musicians and costumes of an era gone by. It’s a helpin’ of down-home Southern flavor. Not just a “local
hoe-down”, it has been performed at the Kennedy Center and other locations to great acclaim.
http://www.swampgravy.com/
We have 40 tickets reserved but they must be paid for or returned by 15 August. If handicapped seating is
needed, I will try to make those arrangements; you will have to let me know as soon as possible.
Additionally, Colquitt has a very rich and interesting history with many places to visit. Colquitt is on US 27, 60
miles North of Tallahassee, FL. We will be staying in the City Park, within walking distance of almost
everything in town, including the town square and the theater.
The large commercial RV park where we planned to stay has been closed. Therefore, we have reserved
Colquitt’s Spring Creek RV park, and obtained permission to park in the adjacent City Park. The RV park has
only 7 sites, all with full hookups, at $15 per night. The City Park has a large level paved parking lot, with
restrooms, a small covered pavilion, and a nice boardwalk leading through the swamp to the creek. There
MAY be some 15A electrical connections but no other hookups. There will be no charge for dry camping there – just leave it cleaner than we find it. The weather in early October should be pleasant enough for dry
camping. There will be no generator restrictions imposed. Dumping can be done in the RV park if necessary.
We will reserve the RV park for those whose physical condition requires hookups; if those individuals do not
reserve all of the 7 sites, the excess will be available to others in the order their registrations are received.
Spring Creek Park is located at the western city limits of Colquitt on US-27, just east of Spring Creek. The
street immediately east of that park leads to the City Park; GMCDL signs will be posted.

The highlight of this rally is the 20th anniversary performance of Swamp Gravy, the Official Folk-
Life Play of Georgia. Its business is storytelling! True local stories are spiced up with songs written by local
musicians and costumes of an era gone by. It’s a helpin’ of down-home Southern flavor. Not just a “local
hoe-down”, it has been performed at the Kennedy Center and other locations to great acclaim.
http://www.swampgravy.com/
We have 40 tickets reserved but they must be paid for or returned by 15 August. If handicapped seating is
needed, I will try to make those arrangements; you will have to let me know as soon as possible.
Additionally, Colquitt has a very rich and interesting history with many places to visit. Colquitt is on US 27, 60
miles North of Tallahassee, FL. We will be staying in the City Park, within walking distance of almost
everything in town, including the town square and the theater.
The large commercial RV park where we planned to stay has been closed. Therefore, we have reserved
Colquitt’s Spring Creek RV park, and obtained permission to park in the adjacent City Park. The RV park has
only 7 sites, all with full hookups, at $15 per night. The City Park has a large level paved parking lot, with
restrooms, a small covered pavilion, and a nice boardwalk leading through the swamp to the creek. There
MAY be some 15A electrical connections but no other hookups. There will be no charge for dry camping there – just leave it cleaner than we find it. The weather in early October should be pleasant enough for dry
camping. There will be no generator restrictions imposed. Dumping can be done in the RV park if necessary.
We will reserve the RV park for those whose physical condition requires hookups; if those individuals do not
reserve all of the 7 sites, the excess will be available to others in the order their registrations are received.
Spring Creek Park is located at the western city limits of Colquitt on US-27, just east of Spring Creek. The
street immediately east of that park leads to the City Park; GMCDL signs will be posted.

Cost: $231.40 + tax (coach w/2people)
Includes: 3 nights of camping, welcome reception, 2 catered dinners . A complimentary breakfast will be available across the street. Some evening entertainment/band is planned.
Make your own reservations with the park – make sure to tell them you will be with the GMC Dixielander/ Alumni group.

This is a No – Host Rally and a business meeting will not be held. Direct any questions to John Richardson at 850-830-6100 email; jrichsr@aol.com

As I'm sure you all know, FMCA has been trying to persuade more GMCers to attend their conventions.

Among the offers they've made are to provide us with preferred parking, together; to
ensure we have meeting facilities available; etc. At the joint GMC Dixielanders and Sunshine
Statesmen rally at Pensacola, FL last month, there was a lot of enthusiasm for an idea I proposed
for the March 14 to 17, 2011 FMCA rally at Perry, GA:

Americus, GA is only 45 miles SW of Perry. 12 miles west of here, my aunt has a 249 acre "play
farm" ( http://goo.gl/N89IA ), mostly wooded and hilly, with a cabin, two fish ponds, a barn, and
plenty of parking for as many GMC's as we're likely to be able to round up. My proposal is that
GMCers gather there a couple of days before FMCA starts, say beginning on March 11th. There
are plenty of attractions in the area, such as Jimmy Carter's home town, the National POW/MIA
museum at the infamous Andersonville Cemetery, and a great aviation museum at Robins AFB.

Or we can just fish & jawbone. On March 13th or 14th (to be coordinated with FMCA), we'll caravan
the 53 miles to Perry and make a Grand Entrance -- ensuring that we're parked together.

By mid-March we typically have very pleasant weather and Spring is just about to burst forth so it
should be an ideal time for the dry camping the lack of hookups will impose.
To sweeten the pot even more: GMC Eastern States is having a rally at Dillard, GA during 17-20
March. That's only 215 miles north of Perry, right near the NC line; a pleasant day's drive after
leaving Perry. Just the chance to try the famous Dillard House's meals would be worth the trip,
but the usual Eastern states technical and social events will make it a must-do stop. http://www.
gmceast.com/rallies/

This is an unusually good opportunity for the GMC community to make an impression on the
larger motorhome community and to gain publicity for our old coaches. All as a bonus while
we're having fun!

My request to all of you is that you publicize this proposal and encourage everyone to attend.
Even some GMCers in the far West and Northwest may find themselves over this way and able
to attend.

It will be most helpful to me in planning and coordinating with FMCA if everyone interested in joining
us at the farm will let me know. An email with the subject "FMCA" to ken0henderson at gmail.
com (that 0 is a zero) with arrival date will suffice.

I'll confirm the plan and provide directions early next year -- directly to those who contact me.

Report::Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:43Here we are with 19 coaches near Bristol, TN, having a great time, as illustrated in Chuck Boyd's photos. Today we toured the Bristol Motor Speedway. Very impressive. Since I'm not a NASCAR fan, I had no idea that this 0.5 mile + 74 yards track was surrounded by a 182,000 seat stadium. Largest in N. America and 4th largest in the world! Can't imagine 43 cars running around in that bowl. Nor the 120 db noise level they create. Had lunch at, and a tour of a large Bristol-based charitable organization which redistributes cosmetically damaged and other contributed medical supplies, clothing, food, etc., around this area and 100 missionary-visited countries.This evening we all went to an excellent local restaurant. All-in-all, a most enjoyable social event thus far.Tomorrow, after a full catered breakfast, we'll have the business meeting followed by a tech session, with the ladies excused for sightseeing and shopping in historic Bristol.Our CV-joint plagued member did a test drive today and came back delighted. Even with the blue coating gone from his steering coupler, he reports much better steering. About 3/4" steering wheel play at the rim. Hopefully he'll be able to get a replacement at Harrington.
==========================Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:09Great weather, although a little cool this morning for my thin South Georgia blood. SHE packed my clothes: 1 long sleeve shirt, 1 rain coat, no jacket, sweater, or other cool weather stuff. I think it's a scheme to make me buy the jacket she's claimed I need for the past 5 years -- heck, the old one WILL still zip up (if I just inhale a little bit).Good business meeting this morning ('though they didn't accept my motion that the last meeting minutes were long enough that we didn't need another one so soon). Followed by a good technical bull session for the men and shopping trip for the women. I'm not real sure what happened to the afternoon, but some of the others and I sure wasted a lot of hot air. Supper tonight at a local BBQ restaurant. Lots of folks went to downtown Bristol for free bluegrass music.Hope to see lots of you at Harrington on Sunday.Don't forget, if you have a torque wrench whose accuracy you'd like to check, bring it along & we'll compare it to the electronic version.Ken Henderson
Americus, GA

The GMC Dixielander Summer Rally is scheduled for July 24 thru 26, 2008, at the Peace Valley Campground, Murphy, NC. The park has a limited number of sites, and we have reserved 30 for the Dixielanders. But, each attendee must make their own reservations with the campground. The park will hold the 30 sites for us until June 1st. When you contact the Park, please identify yourself as a “GMC Dixielander”, to obtain the negotiated rate of $20 per night. These rates are also good for early arrivals.

CUT OFF for CAMPGROUND Reservations: June, 1, 2008
Imposed by a very busy campground. If you wait, there will be no room.

It was a success !!

2008 Bean Station Work Rally
May 1 - 4

Marty and Al Samsel

Kudos

Wednesday, April 30 - gorgeous day. What a day for the 1st trip of the season from NW Ohio to Bean Station with the new tires, new AE wheels, new shocks and all new bearings in the rear wheels. The 455 was purring like a kitten with Mr. Paterson's newly rebuilt distributor. This was what it was all about.The day before, I took one more look at the engine to verify all connections, and something reminded me of a member's picture showing a gap between the drive axle flange and the final drive - so I looked. Sure enough, on the driver's side, a 1/8" gap. A check of the six bolts revealed they were all finger loose. These bolts had a hex head, the other side had the OEM 12 point bolts. Got them tightened (with new lock washers), good to go.About 50 miles out, we re-torqued the new wheel lug nuts. We were heading for Cincinnati with a stop for lunch with Bob Burkitt, and to pick up some items he had for us, including six new Cinnabar flange bolts and lock washers I had emailed him about. After lunch, and a stop at Sears for a new torque wrench (old one gave up the ghost just before Cincinnati) we were on our way again.Then the day turned cloudy for us. A slight vibration was telling me that there might be a problem with the front end, but we pressed on. It got worse. By the time we hit Corbin, KY, the vibration had turned into a full-fledged side-to-side shaking. It was so bad, it literally almost threw us out of the seats. This only happened during acceleration, and after reaching any speed and letting off the gas, it would be as smooth as glass. Push on the gas, and it shook. After we called Bob B., and discussed options, we decided to try for Bean Station. It was late in the day and we had some good hills before us.About 20 miles out, we called Al Samsel to tell him we were coming, but limping in. That was a good move as when we got to Bean Station, JR put us in the covered area where Eric Tanner had been with his problems the year before. We called it a night. HA! At 11:30pm, the cell phone rang and a voice says: "John, this is Ken Burton - I'm on the phone with Bob Burkitt and I hear you've got a problem". He was in his Blazer going around Indianapolis. The three of us conferenced for a half hour and Ken decided to change his route and go to Cincinnati and pick up some parts that might be needed to repair whatever was wrong with our coach. The next morning, Thursday, we moved into the pit building.If we thought that phone call was amazing, what happened next was also. At some early hour, our coach was inundated with people willing to do whatever was needed to solve the problem. Bill Bramlet led the charge, with pit boss, Ron Davis, Eric Tanner, and Tom Phipps right behind him. John Nicholls pitched in, as did many, many others.It was determined that some of the cv joints were gone. The spindle nut on the passenger side was removed with the obligatory breaker bar and cheater. The same nut on the driver's side was removed with Ron Davis' hand! One inner cv joint was bad on one side and the outer joint was gone on the other side. The driver's side hub and knuckle were shot (knuckle had been pin punched on the inside by some PO or their &#8216;mechanic'). Luckily, JR had a rebuilt hub and knuckle with him. One of the three balls on the bad inner joint was chipped around the ball opening and the needle bearings were no where to be seen.
It was decided that two, new (rebuilt) drive axles should be ordered, and they were. They would be in early Friday morning. They were ordered from NAPA in Morristown, but that's another story. Ask me sometime in person.That night, Chuck Boyd popped in, and after looking at each wheel setup, made a few observations and suggestions about what I might also want to fix. Ken Burton arrived a little later and we discussed the situation.Bill Bramlet said he would be back at 7:30 Friday morning. He was. As I had inherited two new Sets of Timken #23 bearings and four new seals from the PO, we decided to change the wheel bearings also. Don't ever arm wrestle Bill, period.One of the NAPA axles was the old style; one wasn't. After much discussion, we decided to return the one that wouldn't work and we made a new axle out of the good inner and outer joints from the coach. We also found the driver's side lower ball joint had no nut. By Friday evening, we were back together and a test drive proved out everyone's competence.Pat and I cannot express our thanks enough to the people who helped us with this breakdown and to the members of the Dixielanders group in general. They are all an amazingly friendly and helpful group, and we are very fortunate to be a part of them. We are also very lucky to have Al and Marti Samsel, without whose generosity, this rally would not be possible. Thank you all, again!The trip home was uneventful, and the balancing beads in the new tires worked great!Some trip specifics: 468 miles down, 455 miles back
total miles: 923
total gallons: 89.122
total gas cost: $317.04 MPG: 10.357http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=25099

John and Pat
--
John Shotwell
Archbold, OH
78 Royale CK

Date: Fri, 09 May 2008 07:46:27 -0500[quote title=UziYaH wrote on Fri, 09 May 2008 07:39]
Bean Station ‘08’ was our first rally, our first trip
in our coach, and our first time we slept in our coach
and a life altering experience. I met men who were my
heroes when I was a young boy, men who flew ’those
magnificent flying machines’. I actually met a man and
his beautiful bride who flew the PanAm flying boats to
the South Pacific, and the visions of Nordhoff and
Hall were again kindled within the canyons of my mind.My wife and I were greatly impressed with the humility
and kindness shown us in spite of the fact that most
had far deeper pockets and better education than us.
Everyone seemed focused on our commonality of owning
one of these unique GMC motor homes and not on social
status. How refreshing. I got to meet many who I have come to appreciate from
communicating on this forum, and missed those who
could not show. I was impressed with that fact that my
wife and I did not have to endure the stench of
cigarette smoke. I was also impressed with how many of
these men had lifelong mates. This too was refreshing
as my wife an I are enjoying over fifty years
together. After seeing so many pictures of customized coaches, I
was apprehensive in bringing our ’plain Jane’ only to
hear “this is the coach everyone has been looking
for”, and I began to relax and enjoy what is in the
moment of now. I thank all who shepherded me in the surveyed of our
coach and made repairs. My wife and I left feeling we had just discovered a
large family we didn’t know we had. Such a refreshing,
life altering experience. Thank you all so much. Happy trails,
Howard Nylander
Royale Class of '78'
E 10-O-C===================
Howard,We enjoyed parking by you at Bean Station and talking with you. Your coach was a rare find. Every one who saw it was impressed.
I don't know what it about a GMC but some of the most interesting people I have ever met seem to have one and it is not just the Dixielanders. We belong to 6 chapters and every one of them are full of interesting people if you take the time to talk with them. The International rallies are great to meet new people and see old friends from all over the country and world. We look forward to seeing you all at more rallies.

Gene Dotson
74 Canyonlands
www.bdub.net/Motorhome_Enhancements

Generally, anyone who owns, or is in the
market for a Class A GMC Motorhome and intends to use it
at club events is welcomed to be our guest. We are sure, that
after you experience the camaraderie, fellowship and immense
collective knowledge of this group, that you will be inclined
to become a member and help support our club and it's activities. Dues are only $20 for the first year and $10 a year after that. The Dixielander Newsletter alone is worth that.